Don’t ever cuff a woman again!

IN PASSING sentence on a labourer who pleaded guilty to assaulting his common-law wife, a San Fernando magistrate yesterday warned the accused to “never slap or cuff a woman again!” This was the stern warning from Fourth Court Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan to 50-year-old Jacob Charles, a labourer at Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) in Claxton Bay. Charles was arrested by WPC Lydia Persad and charged with assaulting his common-law wife Violet Baptiste, 49, occasioning a wound. He was also charged with resisting arrest. Charles was subsequently fined $750 and ordered to pay his common-law wife $500 as compensation. Charles pleaded guilty to the assault charge but pleaded not guilty to  resisting arrest.

According to court prosecutor acting Sgt Zahir Ali, WPC Persad went to a house at Southern Main Road in Claxton Bay around 11.55 am on Sunday November 28, after she received information from the police Command Centre. The policewoman saw Charles in a heated argument with Baptiste and cautioned him about his behaviour. He persisted and even attacked Baptiste, hitting her in her mouth. WPC Persad intervened and, with the help of PC Gary Brady, subdued and arrested Charles. Baptiste, who sustained lacerations to her inner and upper lip, was medically examined at Couva Medical Centre where she was treated. Charles was taken to St Margaret’s Police Station and charged by WPC Persad.